Collapsible airline cargo container

Abstract

A collapsible cargo container for aircraft. The container comprises a base and roof preferably constructed from aluminum and flexible side walls formed from light weight fabric. The roof is releasably supported in the erected position by foldable support posts which extend upwardly from each comer of the container base. The roof is vertically slidable relative to the support posts between the erected position and a collapsed position proximate to the base. In the collapsed position, the flexible walls are stowed between the base and the roof. The support posts are pivotably coupled to the base and may be folded to a collapsed position resting on an upper surface of the roof. The container may further include a pallet extension to conform to the dimensions of below-deck aircraft cargo holds. The pallet extension is pivotally coupled to the container base and is adjustable between a deployed position extending outwardly of the base at one end of the container and a collapsed position resting on the upper surface of the base. In the fully collapsed position, the container is approximately 15-20% of its erected height.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A collapsible cargo container comprising: (a) a base;   (b) a plurality of support posts each having a first end and a second end;   (c) a plurality of fasteners, wherein each of said fasteners operatively couples said first end of one of said support posts to said base to allow each support post to move between an extended position extending upwardly from said base and a folded position extending in a plane parallel to said base; and   (d) a roof having a plurality of apertures formed therein wherein each of said apertures is sized to permit a corresponding one of said support posts to pass therethrough, thereby allowing said roof to slide substantially along the length of said support posts, when said support posts are in said extended position, between a deployed position distal from said base and a collapsed position proximate to said base, wherein said roof is releasably connectable to said second end of each of said support posts in said deployed position.   
     
     
       2. The cargo container of claim 1, further comprising flexible wall panels extending between said roof and said base in said deployed position. 
     
     
       3. The cargo container of claim 2, wherein said flexible wall panels comprise an outer web of adjustable straps which are releasably connectable to said base. 
     
     
       4. The cargo container of claim 1, wherein said first end of each of said support posts is pivotably coupled to said base. 
     
     
       5. The cargo container of claim 1, wherein said support posts extend above said roof when said roof is in said collapsed position and said support posts are in said folded position. 
     
     
       6. The cargo container of claim 1, wherein said roof extends in planes parallel to said base in said deployed and said collapsed positions. 
     
     
       7. The cargo container of claim 6, wherein said roof is supported by said fasteners a short distance above said base in said collapsed position. 
     
     
       8. The cargo container of claim 7, wherein said flexible wall panels are stowed between said roof and said base in said collapsed position. 
     
     
       9. The cargo container of claim 1, wherein said base and said roof are rigid. 
     
     
       10. The cargo container of claim 1, wherein said fasteners comprise a plurality of support sleeves extending upwardly from said base, each support sleeve for receiving one of said support posts. 
     
     
       11. The cargo container of claim 10, wherein said sleeves each comprise a bracket for supporting said roof above said base in said collapsed position. 
     
     
       12. The cargo container of claim 10, wherein said base is rectangular and said sleeves are located at corner portions of said base. 
     
     
       13. The cargo container of claim 10, wherein each of said support posts is slidably and pivotably coupled to one of said sleeves. 
     
     
       14. The cargo container of claim 10, wherein each of said support posts comprises a bayonet pin assembly mounted at said first end, and wherein each of said sleeves comprises a slot for slidably receiving said bayonet pin assembly. 
     
     
       15. The cargo container of claim 14, wherein each of said support posts is pivotable relative to one of said sleeves when said bayonet pin is lifted to the upper end of said slot. 
     
     
       16. The cargo container of claim 10, wherein each of said sleeves is sized to snugly receive one of said support posts in said extended position. 
     
     
       17. The cargo container of claim 1, wherein the surface area of said roof is greater than said base. 
     
     
       18. The cargo container of claim 17, further comprising a pallet extension pivotably coupled to said base and moveable between extension deployed and extension collapsed positions, wherein said pallet extension extends outwardly of said base beneath said roof in said extension deployed position. 
     
     
       19. The cargo container of claim 18, wherein said pallet extension further comprises: (a) a pallet extension base;   (b) a pallet extension support assembly having an upper end pivotably coupled to said pallet extension base and a lower end pivotably coupled to said base of said container; and   (c) pallet extension support arms hingedly coupled to said pallet extension base and moveable between a first position extending vertically between said pallet extension base and said roof in said extension deployed position, and a second position folded on to said pallet extension base.   
     
     
       20. The cargo container of claim 19, wherein said pallet extension base extends in a plane parallel to said roof and said base of said container in said extension deployed position. 
     
     
       21. The cargo container of claim 20, wherein said pallet extension base further comprises pin projections for releasably engaging said support posts in said extension deployed position. 
     
     
       22. The cargo container of claim 19, further comprising at least one flexible wall panel extending between said pallet extension base and said roof in said extension deployed position. 
     
     
       23. The cargo container of claim 18, wherein said pallet extension rests on an upper surface of said base beneath said roof in said extension collapsed position. 
     
     
       24. The cargo container of claim 1, further comprising locking means for releasably coupling said roof to said support posts in said deployed position. 
     
     
       25. The cargo container of claim 24, wherein each of said support posts has an aperture formed at said second end thereof and wherein said locking means comprises a plurality of locking pins mounted adjacent an undersurface of said roof which are slidable into said apertures when said roof is moved to said deployed position. 
     
     
       26. The cargo container of claim 25, wherein said locking pins are biased toward a locking position extending into said apertures. 
     
     
       27. The cargo container of claim 1, wherein each of said support posts further comprises a cap asssembly mounted at said second end for sealing one of said apertures formed in said roof in said deployed position. 
     
     
       28. The cargo container of claim 1, wherein the height of said container in said collapsed position is between 15-20% of the height of said container in said deployed position. 
     
     
       29. A collapsible cargo container comprising: (a) a base;   (b) a plurality of support posts each having a first end and a second end;   (c) fastening means for operatively coupling said first end of each of said support posts to said base, wherein each support post is movable between an extended position extending upwardly from said base and a folded position extending in a plane parallel to said base; and   (d) a roof slidably coupled to said support posts and moveable between a deployed position and a collapsed position, wherein said roof is releasably connectable to said second end of each of said support posts in said deployed position, wherein said roof comprises a plurality of apertures extending therethrough for slidably receiving said support posts and wherein said support posts extend above said roof when said roof is in said collapsed position and said support posts are in said folded position.     
     
     
       30. The cargo container of claim 29, wherein said fastening means further comprises at least one support cable extending between said base of said container and said pallet extension base in said extension deployed position. 
     
     
       31. A collapsible cargo container comprising: (a) a base;   (b) a plurality of support posts each having a first end and a second end;   (c) fastening means for operatively coupling said first end of each of said support posts to said base, wherein each support post is movable between an extended position extending upwardly from said base and a folded position extending in a plane parallel to said base; and   (d) a roof slidably coupled to said support posts and moveable between a deployed position and a collapsed position, wherein said roof is releasably connectable to said second end of each of said support posts in said deployed position, wherein said roof comprises a plurality of apertures extending therethrough for slidably receiving said support posts and wherein each of said support posts further comprises a cap assembly mounted at said second end for sealing one of said apertures formed in said roof in said deployed position.     
     
     
       32. A collapsible cargo container comprising: (a) a base;   (b) a plurality of support posts each having a first end and a second end;   (c) fastening means for operatively coupling said first end of each of said support posts to said base, wherein each support post is movable between an extended position extending upwardly from said base and a folded position extending in a plane parallel to said base;   (d) a roof slidably coupled to said support posts and moveable between a deployed position and a collapsed position, wherein said roof is releasably connectable to said second end of each of said support posts in said deployed position, the surface area of said roof being greater than said base; and   (e) a pallet extension pivotably coupled to said base and moveable between extension deployed and extension collapsed positions, wherein said pallet extension extends outwardly of said base beneath said roof in said extension deployed position.